I Want To Buy An Electric Fireplace?

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All This a

I live in an apartment where I do not control my heat. I live in New York State, so it gets pretty cold here. It is permissable to have a fireplace and I already know the pros and cons of having one. My question is: should I go with electric or use burning gels. Which is more realistic, economical and warmer. Can anyone recommend a particular site, store or brand? I have searhed all the sites I could think of and obviously came up with almost no information. I even tried consumer rated sites. HELP! It is getting cold real fast here!

Answer
I work at a fireplace company in Ft. Worth Texas and I sell alot of electric fireplaces. The best one on the market is made by a company called Dimplex. The flame looks so much like a real flame that I have people that think it is real when they see it. The best thing is you can run it with or without heat. They also have wall mount stoves that are great for smaller rooms. I attached a few links below for you to see. They are based in Canada but I bet they have a place there for you to get it. Also look at their fireplaces & Mantel kits. I have installed more than 700 of them for a builder here and only had 2 product related service calls. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at pvm3@sbcglobal.net

How could you heat a small house in an emergency?

romero

its minus 40 here in canada. i have elecric heat and i was wondering how i could heat the house if the power failed.

Answer
First of all, in 40 below weather, if your power fails and you don't have a backup generator, get yourself to the nearest hotel or public place, they will definitelyhave a generator. Figure out your next move from a safe place.


That haaving been said, I live in the Sierra's. We are having an ice storm, starting about now, and lasting through the weekend. Our power often fails. Last time the lines snapped and so did some trees in my property. I have a fireplace with a glass insert and it rocks.

It isn't uncommon to have the power go on and off for days. Off more than on when the winds pick up.

My heat is gas but the thermostat is electric. Stupid eh? So I had a backup generator hooked up to that, nothing else. It cost about $500 US. A backup generator for my entire electrical would have cost me a fortune. I can live with candlelight if I have heat.

The first time the power went out I realized one important thing: having candles and lanterns and lantern oil and radios and batteries and flashlights and such emergency items, that's fine, but knowing where they are and how to go directly to them and find them in pitch black, without stumbling or hurting yourself, that's the key.

Good luck to all of you up there!

PS. I guess Old Philbert up above me doesn't get around much if he thinks 40 below doesn't exist. What a joke.

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Does the advertised Amish Heat surge really heat a room well without running up the electric bill?

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WonderWoma

In every Sunday issue of our paper, there's an advertisement for the Amish fireplace mantle with the so called 'free' heater, Heat Surge that prmises to be so cost efficient. Has anyone bought it and realized a difference? Especially in the gas heating bill, and electic bill and efficient heating of a room? We bought the Eden Pure, it doesn't heat a large room, and we're waiting for the electric bill to see if it cost us more!

Answer
Wonder Woman: If you want to save on heating costs, the best way is through âzone heatingâ. This is where you turn down the thermostat on your main heating system by several degrees, then selectively heat just the space you are living in or using. According to the US Department of Energy, zone heating can reduce your overall heating costs by 20% or more. Now, with respect to which heater to use for selective heat, it is true that you can buy many heaters at low cost. What you get with a Heat Surge is the warmth and ambiance of a terrific looking fireplace in conjunction with a great heating unit. Youâll find comparable electric fireplaces at most big-box retail outlets, most for much more than a Heat Surge. Yet none of these competitive products come with the real wood authentic Amish mantle thatâs made us famous. Please learn more about our products and hear from a few of our million happy customers at www.heatsurgetoday.com. Hope this helps!!

Chris Pugh
Heat Surge

Do I remove the floor to ceiling mirrors in my l/r, cover them, or keep them?

Nina R

I have an entire wall of floor to ceiling beveled mirrors that are in grooved channels and glued to the wall. The whole wall. I just bought an electric fireplace with an oak mantle and it doesn't really go with the mirrors. They were here when I bought the house. Do I remove them, (uh, professionally), somehow cover them up with paneling of some kind, or just leave them there with the f/p in front? help?

Answer
No, have the mirrors removed professionally. With something as classic as oak, the mirrors (very sixties art deco) clashes. And your room need not look smaller. Opposite to the fireplace, if possible, hang a large picture mirror with a frame that matches the rest of your decor. It will still help to open up the room without seeming tacky.

Covering them up is a bad idea. What if something happens to your house and (for example) and electrician needs to get behind them?

I lived in a house once where the entire master bedroom was wall to wall mirrors (guess what the previous tenants' hobbies were) and couldn't wait to get rid of them. I don't think they are the best design choice for a living room or bedroom!

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I am decorating a new house in a beach theme. I have a long wall about 20 feet long with ten feet ceiling.?

best electric fireplace wall image

Linda

Can I place an electric fireplace in between a T.V console and a fish tank or is that too much for one wall?

Answer
this place sounds pretty cheesy..
guess ya need to be really drunk to appreciate the beach decor
put the fish in the electric fire place

My electric Majestic fireplace pilot light won't light, any tips?

mnarchbutt

I have followed some instructions, but they aren't working. The switch on the wall is on off. I the black knob to pilot and push it in for at least sixty seconds and then pushed the striker at least three times. I see the spark, but it won't light. Any tips?

Answer
===
I hope that this detail will be your answer ..............

How to Light the Pilot Light of a Gas Fireplace by Majestic

How to Light the Pilot Light of a Gas Fireplace by Majestic
By Matt McGew, eHow Contributor

Print this article

Majestic manufactures and markets a line of gas fireplaces. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Monessen Hearth Systems Company. Majestic fireplaces feature automatic ignition systems that light the fireplaces' pilot flames without requiring a match or a lighter. Using this automatic ignition system, you can light your Majestic fireplace's pilot light with the touch of a button. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading

How to Relight a Pilot Light on a Gas Fireplace
Troubleshooting a Gas Fireplace Pilot

Instructions

1

Turn off all electrical power to your Majestic fireplace. Use your hands to pull out and remove the grate located at the bottom of the fireplace. Open the glass doors of the fireplace. Starting at the bottom of the fireplace and working up, smell for gas. If you smell any gas, do not light the fireplace.
2

Push in the gas control knob. The gas control knob is located at the bottom of the fireplace under the area normally covered with the grate.

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3

Wait five minutes. Starting at the bottom of the fireplace and working up, smell for gas. If you smell any gas, do not light the fireplace.
4

Press and turn the gas control knob to the "PILOT" position. Hold the control knob in this position. Repeatedly press the red ignitor button located to the right of the gas control knob. You should see the pilot flame located in front of the main burner to the left of the gas control knob.
5

Continue to press and hold the gas control knob in the "PILOT" position for one minute after you see the pilot flame. After one minute, release the gas control knob and rotate the knob to the "ON" position.
6

Replace the grate located at the bottom of the fireplace.

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Read more: How to Light the Pilot Light of a Gas Fireplace by Majestic | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7949537_light-light-gas-fireplace-majestic.html#ixzz2K9pC7400

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Best way to build a fireplace against a brick wall?

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Brielle

One of our walls in out living room is brick and we would like to have a fireplace there. How would you suggest building one? It has a gas pipe hookup but we are also looking at electric ones. My husband can lay bricks, tile, stone, whatever. He can also make a mantel. We would really appreciate any tips or suggestions!

Answer
visit a hearth store, they have many options for vent free gas fireplaces, since you already have the line there its your best option, you can buy them with the mantel or without, if its a zero clearance model it will only produce heat out of the front and so the brick is a moot point. i recently installed one in my living room and constructed my own mantel for it, took me about 20 minutes to install and alother 30 to build the mantel, very easy

Help with a natural gas venting question please help!?

Q. We are finishing our basement and we are going back and fourth between an electric fire place and a gas fireplace. I want gas but I don't know if it can be vented properly. We don't have an existing fireplace so we have to get something called a "zero clearance fire place". Its like the insert that goes into a fire place you just case around it with some sort of decorative casing. Anyhow the only outside wall available to us is underground and under a front window and in a flower bed. It can't be vented up to the roof because... well its in the basement and we can't have a vent pipe going through our living room. How is venting done in this case or can it be done. There is no where else in the basement it can go I'm at a loss. Also the electric fireplaces say they will only heat 400 sqf.....the area to heat is at least 800 square feet. And we live in Canada so we can't get the vent free ones.

Answer
They make a new fireplace that vents in PVC but they are pricey. From what I have seen of them they can have longer runs that would allow you to run it down the wall farther and just box it in.

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Does anyone have info on "Heat Surge HT-Xl" furnaces made by the Amish ?

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HollysMom

I read about this furnace in the newspaper & thought it sounded GREAT, before I buy it I would like to know if anyone has bought 1 or knows of someone who has. Can you also give me your input on this furnace, every little bit will help. The newspaper is offering a $198.00 coupon.

Answer
Consumer Reports posted a video review of this exact item on YouTube. It's a Chinese made faux fireplace with an Amish-made wooden mantle. For some reason, it seems heaters with combustible housings are trendy lately. Check the first link I've included if you want to see what happens when something goes horribly wrong with a heater made out of materials that burn.

All 120v electric heaters are 100% efficient and they all max out at 1,500 watts (5,121 BTU). Buy the least expensive one that is made out of something that doesn't burn - that means not plastic or wood.

I'm 23. Is it too late to learn the acoustic guitar?

Fredisapus

I'm really interested in the acoustic guitar and always have wanted to play an instrument like that or the violin. I'm swaying towards the acoustic guitar and haven't played one before. I'm right handed but not too sure what type of acoustic guitar is right for me - i'm obviously a beginner but want something decent enough so I can learn to play good stuff like Oasis etc.

I just imagine me on a Sunday night, fireplace on and playing the guitar. No electric stuff, just me and the guitar.

Answer
Never too late - although how proficient you can become depends a lot on your natural talent, hand-eye coordination, 'ear' for music, patience, and how much time you devote to it.

I would suggest getting a guitar and trying it out. If you know anyone who plays, have them come with you to some guitar shops and see what is available - there are a wide variety of styles available at an equally wide range of prices.

There is something to be said for having quality gear - and it can have a serious affect on how you procede, but at the same time, you don't have to shell out thousands of dollars to get a good instrument.

I started off on a borrowed 'classical acoustic' - 3 metal strings, 3 nylon strings, and a straight neck (as opposed to tapering towards the headstock). I took some basic lessons to learn some chords, etc. - and then took off on my own.

I had a lot of friends who played, so a picked up tips and tricks from them, and fortunately I am able to play most things 'by ear' (resorting to looking up music or tabs only for extremely elaborate parts - or where it is difficult to make out the guitar in the mix).

Fortunately the internet is packed full of tabs for about every song ever written ('tablature' differs from standard 'staff' music in that it has six lines, each representing a string on the guitar, and little circles with numbers in them that represent the frets. You can easily figure out chords, progressions, scales, etc. - although you have to be careful, because not all tabs are accurate (and some are absolutely terrible).

The best bet is to print a few out, and see how they sound compared to the original. I'm a big fan of doing my own renditions of songs rather than trying to 'cover' the song note for note - although on occasion (especially when playing with a band) I will learn the original version to keep confusion down. When starting out, there is nothing wrong with 'faking' a song (playing the basic chord progression without any of the fancy stuff - if you are trying to sing along it makes it a lot easier to do both at the same time), but I always have difficulty correcting myself if I have been playing it 'wrong' for a while.

While I mostly play electric (especially semi-hollow electrics like my '67 Gibson ES125), I have a lot of respect for acoustic guitars, and those who play them well. It eliminates the need for a lot of extra equipment, cords, etc. (although you can get acoustics with built in pickups, eq, and tuners).

CF Martin and Taylor make some of the best ones I've played, although for decent entry-level guitars there are a lot of choices - Gibson and Fender of course, but also Yamaha, Ibanez, and others.

Again, some basic lessons are suggested, just to learn your way around the guitar - tuning, basic chords/scales, etc., there are a ton of youtube videos (of varying quality) that you can use to expand your knowledge.

Good luck - and have fun by the fireplace!

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Can i switch from propane to central heat?

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blakesmomm

Old house, not very good insalation. We have had to fill the tank up 3 times, getting ready to have to do it again. It is 600.00 each time. So we will have spent 2400.00 just this winter in heat. I know our electric bill will go up, but we can handle a couple hundred dollar electric bill each month rather than a 600 every couple months... Our electric bill is only around 95.00 a month now..

Answer
Most HVAC contractors can tell you how many KW hours an all electric central heat system will use. Based on your current eclectic cost per KW hour, you should be able to estimate the cost for electrical heat. I think you will find it is much more than the propane.

I agree, you need to look at insulation and eliminating air infiltration at windows, doors and opening into the basement or attic and specially up the chimney if you have a fireplace.

why are ice caps melting around the world?

Shreeta Sh

why are ice caps and ice sheets around the world melting?apart from global warmng, are there any other reasons? and what are the solutions for these problems? what can we do in our everyday life to change the situation?

Answer
Shreeta,

The exact cause of global warming is still debatable. I have read the New World Order report on global warming and those that wrote that much celebrated report seem to get lots of exercise reaching for conclusions without substantiation, and jumping on the bandwagon where no data exists.

Mankind does put around 12billion metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere (it is all reported as CO2 in the report, but its just not true). And it is true that this does contribute to the greenhouse gasses and as such does contribute to global warming. Does it cause it all on its own? Absolutely NOT! Is this only a minor contribution? YES! BUT it IS a contribution and as suck, it DOES help speed us along in the global warming scheme of things....is it reversible? YES (but only our contributory portion!)!!

What we can do is make millions of solar cells and put enough on each roof around the world to provide (at a minimum) 95% of that household's energy requirement. Then stop using natural gas and switch over to all electric appliances. Foster the use of electric or fuel cell cars and trucks, ban the use of charcoal bar-b-ques and wood burning fireplaces, and we'll have probably dropped worldwide CO2 production by 65%.

Is that enough to turn back the tied? Who knows? Will it prolong the onset? YES it will...how long? Again....No one knows.

Cheers.

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What is the best thing to do when there is an earthquake?

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camelspin

Answer
The most important thing to do is to remain calm. If you are inside a building stand in a corner or under an interior doorway, or under sturdy desk or table. Engineers actually approve of the idea of standing in an interior doorway- it is not just a myth. Avoid windows, fireplaces, large mirrors, and tall furniture. Stay clear of heavy machinery that may fall over. Do not get into an elevator. If you are outdoors, or near an exit move away from buildings and power lines that may fall. As long as your are in a structurally sound building, it is probably better to stay inside. If you are in an automobile stop in an open area away from overpasses and power lines. When driving, the shake of an earthquake will often feel like something is wrong with the car and may not be apparent. Stay away from beaches.

Immediately afterwards, be cautious about possible broken power lines and gas lines, and check to see if people are okay. Do not use the phone unless it is an emergency because if they are working, the lines will be jammed and need to be left open for emergency calls. Turn off the utilities like water, gas, and power to buildings if there is any chance of damage.

If you live in an earthquake prone area these are some easy things you can do to make your home more earthquake proof:

1. Find out if your homeowner's insurance covers earthquakes.

2. Be familiar with how to turn off your natural gas, water, and electric utilities. Consider installing an "earthquake valve" on your natural gas line. This type of valve shuts off automatically if there is shaking. It could prevent your house from burning down. Here are a few:
http://www.earthquakestore.com/gas_shut_...

3. Brace your water heater with at least two metal straps tied to a major wood stud or anchored to a concrete wall. The straps should be anchored with a wide angle extending laterally about two feet on each side of the water heater, if possible.

4. Install child-proof type latches on your overhead kitchen cabinets and other cabinets where things might fall out.

5. Anchor the top of tall furniture to a wall using a strap and anchor, or an angle bracket secured to a stud in the wall. Hanging pictures should be hung from hooks secured into studs.
Move chandeliers, tall bookshelves, and large mirrors away from beds. By the time a sleeping occupant has realized the earthquake is happening the hazard may have already fallen on the bed.

6. If you have an antenna attached to a masonry chimney, move it. Masonry chimneys should be checked and tuck-pointed if the mortar has begun to deteriorate. Be aware that masonry chimneys are very likely to shake apart in an earthquake.

Preparedness:
1. Be prepared to live without power and water for at least 72 hours. The water heater and toilet tank will supply up to 45 gallons of water if they are not damaged. Having a water purifying filter on hand is always a good idea. These camping type filters are the ones I recommend but either water purification tablets or those household water filtering kits are suitable:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/search?n...

2. Have a battery operated radio on hand, or even one of those self-powering crank units.

3. Flashlights and batteries are essential.

4. Don't expect the telephone, either land or cellular to work. If they are working, avoid using them except for emergencies as they will be overloaded.

5. Be prepared to live outdoors, preferably in a tent while there is risk of an aftershock. If your house is damaged seriously it may not be safe to re-enter.

6. Have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit on hand.

7. Have a family plan, and plan ahead who will be responsible for helping elderly or children out of the house and the route. Know your neighborhood and the skills of your neighbors. If there are doctors or other emergency personnel in the area know how to contact them. If your family is spread out, have someone out of the area for everyone to check in with. Long distance calls will be easier than local calls.

8. Make some plans for your pets. Many pets get confused during earthquakes and get lost.

9. Keep a small camp stove handy, or at least some canned food and a manual can opener. Eat the food in your refrigerator first, then the food in the freezer. An unopened freezer will last about 3 days.

10. Apply the same concepts to your workplace. Know how you will contact the rest of your family if at work. Many emergency personnel have their entire family carry a small CB-radio because they realize they would not be able to function properly if they were uncertain about the status of their family.

11. Stay off the roads unless it is an emergency. Try to leave roads open for emergency services like ambulances and fire trucks.

If you want to read more about earthquake preparation buy or check out a copy of this book:
Yanev, Peter I. , 1991, Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country: How to Save Your Home and Life. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 218 pp. ISBN: 0877017719
(at this moment there are 18 copies available used on Amazon.com starting at $4.25. I am sure other booksellers will have this book as well)

Home Heating oil. How long will it last?

Lewis

I would like to have an idea of how long it would take to burn a gallon of it with the temp set at 72 degrees
I just had 150 gallons delivered at Six hundred and fifty four dollars. Highway robbery! I guess I'm
trying to figure out how long I will get warmth in the house.
Thank you very much.

Answer
There are too many variables that effect the amount of fuel used like your home insulation, size of home etc..certainly checking the gage is the best way to get a rough idea, but as temps outside change so will your usage of fuel! To conserve energy you can seal windows and door cracks, check online for ideas.. turn the temp. down at night or when you are not home. Close doors of unused rooms, put small electric heaters ( or electric fireplaces) in rooms you use a lot and use this in combination with your regular heating. I was afraid up running up my electric bill but it was so much cheaper than the oil, especially if you can shut a door with a little heater inside ..and you can get it so toasty warm! Also 72 is high to keep your entire house unless you are not mobile or elderly. If not, you might want to lower that number significantly ( as far as you can stand it) and dress warmer by wearing sweaters, wraps and even scarves. Also make sure you have insulated window coverings and use them at night. This may sound silly but it could save you more then half your fuel cost in a season. Tip....run your hand completely around every seam of each window and door on a cold day.. if you find any cold coming in your heating the outdoors! Seal up these areas right away.

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Zero clearance fireplace has rotted firebox ceiling...?

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Tate

I have a zero clearnace fireplace in my home. The room that it is in had some extensive water leaks prior to me purchasing the home. They have since been fixed (new roof/seal/etc)... Come to find out, the ceiling of my fireplace has rotted through.

The fireplace has metal sides and ceiling with a brick back. The chimney is in good condition. I have had several fireplace folks look at it. I am told it's not repairable. I am told the cost to put a new zero clearnace in is ~$4,000-$6,000.

I'm told I can't put a fireplace insert or gas insert in its place. I do not want electric logs or gas logs. Is this all true? Can I get something in there for less than that? Can I have a wood burning insert? Stove?

Answer
Take it to a metal shop and have them weld a new top on it. A small welding shop can fabricate one and weld it on. as long as you can bring it to them and reinstall it. shouldn't cost too much. Good Luck. some units have loose brick that can be removed unless it is a wall. You may also look into placing a wood burner in its place. I put one in my cottage inside the old fireplace and looks and works great.

Question for Propane Guy.. heating an unfinished basement? part 2?

Chatter Bo

1st Im sorry, I meant to rate YOUR answer as the best answer, so that reply when i rated was directed to you. 2nd, so ALL the vent free heaters, even the fireplaces arent safe to run 24/7?? how could we vent a vented one from the basement? could it go out a window? does it have to be higher than the top of the house? thats what we were told but we were told that by someone who wasn't educated in heating, i mean it sounds right but I have no clue so I figured I'd ask you.

Im renting the basement off my sister and need heat. come spring when I save enough money Im going to move but until then, Im worried im going to freeze. they dont want anything major installed and they dont want me to tap into their furnace because it costs too much to heat the house never mind adding another floor for them to heat.

would a couple electric heaters work? or a vent free fireplace? i know those are sold for use in homes. could a small pellet stove work and if so, could it be vented out a window?

and yes, one whole side is in the ground, so that 1 whole side is concrete. the other 1/2 of the house is 1/2 concrete and 1/2 insulated foundation. its a walk out basement.
"There are some fireplaces that can be vented using a "snorkel kit". Basically it comes out the basement wall at ground level and up about a foot on the outside wall. They can't be installed unless you have a bit of exposed basement at ground level on the outside."

So could we use a window for the snorkel kit? like keep one window open and then block the rest of the window somehow? even if we had to put a brick foundation under the stove to raise up the stove & make it level to the window? I doubt my sis would let me drill into the wall and speaking with her today, i dont think even electric heaters are an option due to electric bill.

see I cant afford to get someone in here to just look around, id like to have a plan and then have someone come in and do it.

Answer
As you could clearly see from my previous answer, I feel very strongly about vent free heaters. There is a very good reason that they are illegal to operate anywhere in Canada, many other countries and several of the US states. They are putting products of combustion into the air you are breathing. I would certainly never allow one in any home that I or any member of my family live in. They are that potentially dangerous. Especially if you are planning on using it for primary heat.

There are some fireplaces that can be vented using a "snorkel kit". Basically it comes out the basement wall at ground level and up about a foot on the outside wall. They can't be installed unless you have a bit of exposed basement at ground level on the outside. It does not need to be vented above the roofline. These appliances are what is called "direct vent". They take air from outside, burn it with the fuel and expel the burnt gases back outside. The flame does not communicate with the air inside the building that you are breathing. Much safer! Personally I look forward to the day when all appliances are of this design.

Fireplaces are not really meant to be run as a primary heat source either, but if you have a furnace heating the rest of the house then a fireplace for the basement area isn't too bad.

As I said previously, you really need to have someone knowledgable come in and determine the best option for you. Basements can be tricky for venting appliances properly.

Electric heaters would be safer than a vent free gas appliance, but they are very expensive to operate. I would explore a gas appliance first. It will be more expensive to install but cheaper to operate.

What ever way you decide to go, make sure you read the manufacturer's certified installation and operating instructions to make sure the appliance is suitable and legal to operate indoors!

Be warm ,but be safe!

Edit: Yes I have seen a window opening used for a vent before. But you have to block off the entire window. It can not used as a window anymore. A solid panel will have to block the entire opening and be sealed and the vent run through the middle of that. The gas supply line can be routed through there as well as long as the clearances are sufficient.

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I Want To Buy An Electric Fireplace?

electric fireplaces without heat image

All This a

I live in an apartment where I do not control my heat. I live in New York State, so it gets pretty cold here. It is permissable to have a fireplace and I already know the pros and cons of having one. My question is: should I go with electric or use burning gels. Which is more realistic, economical and warmer. Can anyone recommend a particular site, store or brand? I have searhed all the sites I could think of and obviously came up with almost no information. I even tried consumer rated sites. HELP! It is getting cold real fast here!

Answer
I work at a fireplace company in Ft. Worth Texas and I sell alot of electric fireplaces. The best one on the market is made by a company called Dimplex. The flame looks so much like a real flame that I have people that think it is real when they see it. The best thing is you can run it with or without heat. They also have wall mount stoves that are great for smaller rooms. I attached a few links below for you to see. They are based in Canada but I bet they have a place there for you to get it. Also look at their fireplaces & Mantel kits. I have installed more than 700 of them for a builder here and only had 2 product related service calls. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at pvm3@sbcglobal.net

How could you heat a small house in an emergency?

romero

its minus 40 here in canada. i have elecric heat and i was wondering how i could heat the house if the power failed.

Answer
First of all, in 40 below weather, if your power fails and you don't have a backup generator, get yourself to the nearest hotel or public place, they will definitelyhave a generator. Figure out your next move from a safe place.


That haaving been said, I live in the Sierra's. We are having an ice storm, starting about now, and lasting through the weekend. Our power often fails. Last time the lines snapped and so did some trees in my property. I have a fireplace with a glass insert and it rocks.

It isn't uncommon to have the power go on and off for days. Off more than on when the winds pick up.

My heat is gas but the thermostat is electric. Stupid eh? So I had a backup generator hooked up to that, nothing else. It cost about $500 US. A backup generator for my entire electrical would have cost me a fortune. I can live with candlelight if I have heat.

The first time the power went out I realized one important thing: having candles and lanterns and lantern oil and radios and batteries and flashlights and such emergency items, that's fine, but knowing where they are and how to go directly to them and find them in pitch black, without stumbling or hurting yourself, that's the key.

Good luck to all of you up there!

PS. I guess Old Philbert up above me doesn't get around much if he thinks 40 below doesn't exist. What a joke.

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Why is my gas bill so high in the summer?

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GriswoldCT

I have an apartment and my gas bill is around 45 dollars. I use central air which runs of electricity. Also we have a gas fireplace with a pilot light which burns a little but not 45 dollars worth. Any ideas? I was thinking maybe the water heater...

Answer
I'm betting your hot water heater runs on gas. If so, and you use a lot of hot water that will run it high. Is your stove gas or electric? If it's gas every time you use the stove or oven it's more gas.

What is the best thing to do when there is an earthquake?

camelspin

Answer
The most important thing to do is to remain calm. If you are inside a building stand in a corner or under an interior doorway, or under sturdy desk or table. Engineers actually approve of the idea of standing in an interior doorway- it is not just a myth. Avoid windows, fireplaces, large mirrors, and tall furniture. Stay clear of heavy machinery that may fall over. Do not get into an elevator. If you are outdoors, or near an exit move away from buildings and power lines that may fall. As long as your are in a structurally sound building, it is probably better to stay inside. If you are in an automobile stop in an open area away from overpasses and power lines. When driving, the shake of an earthquake will often feel like something is wrong with the car and may not be apparent. Stay away from beaches.

Immediately afterwards, be cautious about possible broken power lines and gas lines, and check to see if people are okay. Do not use the phone unless it is an emergency because if they are working, the lines will be jammed and need to be left open for emergency calls. Turn off the utilities like water, gas, and power to buildings if there is any chance of damage.

If you live in an earthquake prone area these are some easy things you can do to make your home more earthquake proof:

1. Find out if your homeowner's insurance covers earthquakes.

2. Be familiar with how to turn off your natural gas, water, and electric utilities. Consider installing an "earthquake valve" on your natural gas line. This type of valve shuts off automatically if there is shaking. It could prevent your house from burning down. Here are a few:
http://www.earthquakestore.com/gas_shut_...

3. Brace your water heater with at least two metal straps tied to a major wood stud or anchored to a concrete wall. The straps should be anchored with a wide angle extending laterally about two feet on each side of the water heater, if possible.

4. Install child-proof type latches on your overhead kitchen cabinets and other cabinets where things might fall out.

5. Anchor the top of tall furniture to a wall using a strap and anchor, or an angle bracket secured to a stud in the wall. Hanging pictures should be hung from hooks secured into studs.
Move chandeliers, tall bookshelves, and large mirrors away from beds. By the time a sleeping occupant has realized the earthquake is happening the hazard may have already fallen on the bed.

6. If you have an antenna attached to a masonry chimney, move it. Masonry chimneys should be checked and tuck-pointed if the mortar has begun to deteriorate. Be aware that masonry chimneys are very likely to shake apart in an earthquake.

Preparedness:
1. Be prepared to live without power and water for at least 72 hours. The water heater and toilet tank will supply up to 45 gallons of water if they are not damaged. Having a water purifying filter on hand is always a good idea. These camping type filters are the ones I recommend but either water purification tablets or those household water filtering kits are suitable:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/search?n...

2. Have a battery operated radio on hand, or even one of those self-powering crank units.

3. Flashlights and batteries are essential.

4. Don't expect the telephone, either land or cellular to work. If they are working, avoid using them except for emergencies as they will be overloaded.

5. Be prepared to live outdoors, preferably in a tent while there is risk of an aftershock. If your house is damaged seriously it may not be safe to re-enter.

6. Have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit on hand.

7. Have a family plan, and plan ahead who will be responsible for helping elderly or children out of the house and the route. Know your neighborhood and the skills of your neighbors. If there are doctors or other emergency personnel in the area know how to contact them. If your family is spread out, have someone out of the area for everyone to check in with. Long distance calls will be easier than local calls.

8. Make some plans for your pets. Many pets get confused during earthquakes and get lost.

9. Keep a small camp stove handy, or at least some canned food and a manual can opener. Eat the food in your refrigerator first, then the food in the freezer. An unopened freezer will last about 3 days.

10. Apply the same concepts to your workplace. Know how you will contact the rest of your family if at work. Many emergency personnel have their entire family carry a small CB-radio because they realize they would not be able to function properly if they were uncertain about the status of their family.

11. Stay off the roads unless it is an emergency. Try to leave roads open for emergency services like ambulances and fire trucks.

If you want to read more about earthquake preparation buy or check out a copy of this book:
Yanev, Peter I. , 1991, Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country: How to Save Your Home and Life. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 218 pp. ISBN: 0877017719
(at this moment there are 18 copies available used on Amazon.com starting at $4.25. I am sure other booksellers will have this book as well)

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